CINDY WILLIAMS was appointed by Obama as an Assistant Director for NATIONAL SECURITY in the
Congressional Budget Office. Ms. Cindy William wrote a piece for the Washington Times denouncing the
pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year citing that she stated a 13% wage increase was more
than they deserve.
A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this.
Ms Williams:
I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GI's earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm
wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month
between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account. Checking my latest
earnings statement I see that I make $1,117..80 before taxes per month. After taxes, I take home $874.20.
When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and
$10,49040 after.
I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host
computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment.
A quick check under jobs for "Network Technicians" in the Washington , D.C. Area reveals a position in my
career field, requiring three yearsˆ™ experience in my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year.
No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per anum...I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.
Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in
her armed forces.
Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get
the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of
deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN ; I leave the choice of service branch up to you. Whatever choice
you make though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your
family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."
As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye
to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends
meet while the primary breadwinner is gone. Obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the
government has been giving them.
Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually
over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night, and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't
enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE's (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage
to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor.
Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't be nearly long enough or often enough, but take what
you can get and be thankful for it. You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you
present in your oped piece.
But, tomorrow from KABUL, I will defend to the death your right to say it.
You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment right and every other right you cherish.
On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your
collective noses at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people
cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of
civilian companies.
And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve? What do you think someone should
be paid to defend your life, and the life of your family?
A1C Michael Bragg, Hill AFB AFNCC
Congressional Budget Office. Ms. Cindy William wrote a piece for the Washington Times denouncing the
pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year citing that she stated a 13% wage increase was more
than they deserve.
A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this.
Ms Williams:
I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GI's earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm
wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month
between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account. Checking my latest
earnings statement I see that I make $1,117..80 before taxes per month. After taxes, I take home $874.20.
When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and
$10,49040 after.
I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host
computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment.
A quick check under jobs for "Network Technicians" in the Washington , D.C. Area reveals a position in my
career field, requiring three yearsˆ™ experience in my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year.
No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per anum...I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.
Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in
her armed forces.
Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get
the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of
deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN ; I leave the choice of service branch up to you. Whatever choice
you make though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your
family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."
As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye
to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends
meet while the primary breadwinner is gone. Obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the
government has been giving them.
Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually
over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night, and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't
enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE's (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage
to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor.
Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't be nearly long enough or often enough, but take what
you can get and be thankful for it. You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you
present in your oped piece.
But, tomorrow from KABUL, I will defend to the death your right to say it.
You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment right and every other right you cherish.
On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your
collective noses at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people
cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of
civilian companies.
And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve? What do you think someone should
be paid to defend your life, and the life of your family?
A1C Michael Bragg, Hill AFB AFNCC
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